Fears of fall in A-Level results

TOP A-level pass rates could drop this year due to the soaring numbers of unconditional degree offers handed out by universities, it has been suggested. There are warnings that the hike in these guaranteed places could mean students have “taken their foot off the pedal”, leading to lower overall A-level results.

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University leaders said they are monitoring trends and any impact unconditional offers might have. (Image: GETTY)

Ahead of A-level results day on Thursday, Professor Alan Smithers, director of the centre for education and employment research at the University of Buckingham, suggested the rise in unconditional offers could contribute to a fall in the proportion of exams awarded an A* or A grade.

Those given a guaranteed offer “may not be getting the high grades that they might otherwise have done”, he said.

Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “If there is a dip in the top grades, it could well be due to youngsters taking their foot off the gas.

“We are very concerned that universities are doing this to get bums on seats.

“What should be happening is that students are on the most appropriate degree provision for them, and if the nature of the course that they are doing is best suited to them.”